On April my husband, Paul and I flew from SFO to Ft. Lauderdale for a Transatlantic cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We would travel on a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic to the British Isles. On May 2nd we stopped at Porto Delgado for the day. I had a little gas, I guessed from over eating. The ship sailed at 4:00pm. The ship sailed for the British Isles we expected to have two more sea days with fun, entertainment and good food.
As the gas pain progressed I visited the ship medical center at about 4:30. They quickly took a blood test and found I had appendicitis. The standard plan today is not to operate, but use heavy IV antibiotics. The first does was administered. I was told to return at 9:00am for another dose. This dosage would be twice a day until reaching Great Britain. The wonderful South African Doctor on staff did warn me this was quite serious.
At 2:00am the pain was strong. In returning to the Medical center I was treated by two doctors and two nurses with X-ray and more antibiotics IV. X-ray was taken and found not to be ruptured. The doctors contacted the Captain for full speed ahead to GB. This 2 day trip could be shortened to 24 hours. I felt the doctors were confident this could work. After the X-ray, I am aware when the appendix ruptured. Morphine was added to the drip and the Captain was again called. He decided to turn the ship around and full speed to Porto Delgado, Azores which would be a shorter journey.
Cabin a little small but excellent and clean.